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| Suzi Youngberg |
Suzi Youngberg
UKBPW President 2021-22
305-393-6830
Join us for the October Evening Event
October 20th 6-8 PM at Whale Harbor Restaurant!
Cost is $25/person -
Includes appetizers and one complimentary cocktail.
**ONLINE ADVANCE RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS PLEASE**
AWARDING:
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR!
ADULT SCHOLARSHIPS!
FEATURING:
BPW MEMBER EXPO!
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS!
Join the Upper Keys BPW Team and commit to walk in your neighborhood on October 23rd or 24th. JOIN OUR TEAM
Showcase Your Business at the
BPW Member EXPO!
Spaces still available!
Wednesday, October 20
6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Whale Harbor, Islamorada
Here's your opportunity to promote your business or organization to your fellow BPW members and guests in person! In addition to the EXPO, our October event will feature our annual Woman of the Year/Business of the Year awards - always one of our best-attended events. Your sponsorship is guaranteed to get your business noticed!
Proceeds benefit the Adult Scholarship Program.
ONLY $100
Email bpwupperkeys@gmail.com or contact any Board Member to participate in the Expo.
Thanks to our Member Expo Sponsors (so far) -
Travel Resources Group
Florida Bay Forever
Upper Keys Marine Construction
Florida Small Business Development Center at FIU
Olive Morada
Living Springs Counseling
CONSTITUTION DAY, OCTOBER 26TH
PRESENTED BY:
UPPER KEYS LEAGE OF WOMEN VOTERS & UPPER KEYS BPW
Let's start our day by sharing something good that is happening, has happened or will happen. Can be personal and/or professional related as long it is positive. Zoom link provided after RSVP.
November 3rd
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Coffee Talk with the Upper Keys BPW, first Wednesday of every month.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
November Luncheon - November 17th, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Bakers Cay
December Coffee Talk - December 1, 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM, Virtual
December Holiday Party - December 15th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Location TBA
Were you able to attend the last workshop with Melinda Van Fleet?
KATE BANICK
In the midst of a pandemic, she has supported the community over and above. Staying on top of the ever changing virus information including determining what the best testing methods were, to providing and administering vaccinations to the entire community, not just our patients.
Her leadership style is strong. She is persistent and therefore accomplishes multitudes of duties.
Many things about her are inspiring. She really knows how to talk to people. All people.
Her actions during the pandemic provided resources (many times before you could receive them elsewhere locally) to keep our community safe.
I just think she's the greatest.
BETSY BASTE
Betsy has been championing for our community by providing services for seniors through The JOY Center, with weekly activities and the potential to provide a senior center available to all. Her enthusiasm and leadership is an inspiration to us all.
Betsy empowers others to take charge and contribute. She enlists volunteers to teach classes for "Just Older Youth" and seeks out funding to provide training on computer devices for those who need help with their phones, laptops, iPads, etc.
Her attitude and inspiration inspires others to do more. Her selflessness is contagious and those who listen to her join her in making this senior center and senior services a reality.
She has given our Just Older Youth a place to gather, learn, exercise, and provide nutritional information. The facilities are open just one day a week, but she is driven to find a permanent home for the senior center where the services can be offered full time. This is something that the community needs and she is working hard to make it happen.
Her smile and determination are inspiring! She has been working on this for years and will not go away until we succeed. We need this in our community and should all help make it a reality.
CYNTHIA GNEISER
Cynthia simply deserves to be recognized for the woman she is.
Cynthia leads with empathy and great care. She recognizes her weakness but does not give up. She leads by working hard but also knows how to play hard. Cynthia listens, takes advice into consideration, is honest and truly wants the best for her team, her clients and her family.
Her belief in empowering women and her belief in the good of the world are inspiring. She stands strong during difficult times and finds the strength to balance her personal and professional life. To be honest, I don't know how she does it, Go Cynthia!
Cynthia has a strong belief in empowering women. When you talk to her she has the capacity to empathise and she sure knows how to make lemonade out of lemons. Her smile is contagious and her worldly experience makes her different, in an grande way.
When I attend the UKBPW Coffee Chats she leads, her presence makes the difference. She turns a sad happening into a positive learning experience.
PATRICIA MILIAN
Patricia has done so much for Upper Keys BPW this year. As a new member, she jumped right in and joined the Board as well as several committees. Her dedication and commitment to empowering women is inspirational.
Her leadership style is strong, yet friendly and unassuming.
She steps up for any role or task where she is needed and where she can contribute. And lucky for BPW, she can contribute in many ways! She has helped the Upper Keys BPW Board with planning and organizing the professional development workshop series as well as implementing new marketing strategies.
Patricia has been a member for less than a year but has already made such an impact on our organization. Her ideas are innovative and creative and she follows through with results.
BRITTANY PARKER
She is a strong, amazing woman who supports our community and what it stands for. She manages the good health clinic, participates in fundraisers throughout the keys, and is a growing local artist. She has become an integral part of our community.
Brittany is a very approachable young woman, and as a manager and leader she is willing to help people, listen, and assist them in any way she needs. She leads by example, and spends time in each task she takes on.
She came to the keys from Ohio, and has built a life for herself here. Even when life tries to throw challenges at her, she is ready to take them on, and persevere with a smile on her face. Her energy is infectious. She has committed herself fully to volunteering with the BPW, and has worked her way up to a director. She also volunteers for different events throughout the community, and has committed herself to keep the Keys community strong.
She is a beautiful young woman who we are lucky to have in our community!
MARGIE SMITH
Margie has acted in service to the community in various capacities over the years from organizing and participating in fundraisers for the FK Childrens Shelter, and Domestic Abuse Shelter (i.e. Poolside Prowl Fashion Show) to transforming the United Way of the Florida Keys, into a relevant sustainable source of funding and advocacy to address food insecurity, affordable childcare countywide.
This enabled UWFK to provide food to several non profits countywide and launch both the ALICE report and the countywide STUFF the BUS which continues today with BPW participation. A Take Stock in Children mentor, former Board Member and active Member since 2008, she was appointed BPW FL Membership Chair this year. At SBDC she was a lifeline to hundreds of businesses, helping them navigate the 2020 pandemic related disaster loans for a total of $15 million of loans to business owners brought to this county so far. Margie actively works to connect our members to relevant training and resources to help walk the walk about supporting women toward flourishing careers and participate in efforts to increase advocacy for working women through public policy committee, where she has participated by writing questions every other year for our most notable event in the community, the BPW Political Forum between 2012 -2018.
Margie is a friendly, knowledgeable ambassador for the organization who knows how to get things done--connecting people with the resources they need and each other to empower women to advance their careers, institutions and families. She has embraced BPW FL stepping up to the plate to more impactfully support women and expand membership through through advocacy as several direct challenges to the rights of women are already in the works for our state from the voting rights limitations to Florida legislation being finalized now on restrictions to reproductive health access that will directly conflict with the BPW FL platform as it has stood for many years.
SUE WOLTANSKI
Sue's tireless efforts regarding our children and their schooling go beyond that of a school board member.
Her leadership style is cool, calm and collected.
Her confidence and intelligence are inspiring.
She brings synergy and cohesion to all she does including BPW.
She’s a very loving person on top of all that!
SUZI YOUNGBERG
Other organizations foundered during the pandemic, but not UKBPW. Under Suzi's leadership, we actually grew our membership and won tons of award at the state conference. One of my favorite additions is the monthly Connect Over Coffee. While I can't always make it, when I do, I always take away something of value. I love the smaller, more intimate group that is attracted to this program, and the support that is expressed during our time together.
Suzi’s leadership style is nimble and agile.
What is inspiring about her? The fact that, seemingly without effort, she's been able to keep our organization together...and even stronger. We are all better off as a result.
DOCS DINER
Docs is a Keys classic that truly is a locals spot. They will always remember your faces, and have turned into family. Docs is a woman owned business - Gina Boilini is the owner and is on the UKBPW board!
This business has a strong group of women working there, and they truly represent what we stand for in the Keys. They support other local organizations throughout the Keys including the Rotary Club.
HOUSTON INSURANCE AGENCY
I am a satisfied customer of this business and admire their engagement in the community. Houston Insurance Agency is a woman owned business. Mary Houston is the head of the agency. They make it as easy as possible to review and secure appropriate and affordable insurance, which is a huge support for busy professional women in our community.
This business has increased the level of service and accessibility for all kinds of insurance locally in our community. It helps us protect our homes and businesses here in the Keys. They also sponsor and support many important causes in the community.
Houston Insurance Agency, led by Mary Houston, is approachable, friendly, knowledgeable and with a real commitment to our area. She and her team took all of my current policies, and quickly found us significant savings on both our home and auto policies.
KEY LARGO MINI STORAGE
They are generous and giving as a local business. Key Largo Mini Storage is a woman-owned business. Beverly Newman is the owner and general manager.
The owner is a woman, and the office manager is a woman. They have been very helpful to Upper Keys BPW as the venue for our first in-person event in March, the Spring Forward Drive Through Party. And, they give us use of space for the Upper Keys BPW Board Meetings.
MAID IN PARADISE
This company has helped so many businesses especially during the pandemic, where a clean and sanitized business is critically important. Maid in Paradise is a woman owned business. Yvette Gonzalez-Valdes is the owner.
This business employs women almost exclusively. She has demonstrated flexibility with both her employees and clients as we navigate through schedule changes, quarantine requirements, etc.
Maid in Paradise has been committed to serving its clients even through shut-downs, staff shortages, product shortages, etc. Their business is keeping our businesses clean (so we can stay open!). Yvette is very responsive to her clients. She and her team are very professional.
OLIVE MORADA
The shop was established in 2013 and is a great asset to the culinary community. They simply deserve to be in the spotlight and get recognized for their excellence.
Olive Morada is a woman owned business. Since January 2020 Jen White has been the solopreneur of this lovely shop.
Olive Morada has been so generous with gift basket donations. Maybe last year we did not have so many in person events but Olive Morada is always there to donate an auction item. If you go to their store you see the love put into this business. Read about the owner Jenn on their website and you will understand.
They provide excellent service and offer the finest and freshest imports. I highly recommend you check out the recipes on their website. Delish!
Brittany Parker's artwork will be featured on the medals for the Key Largo Bridge Run this year! Brittany is a local artist, among her many other talents, with her business Go With the Ocean Flow, and she hosts weekly sip and paint classes at Baker's Cay Resort.
Conch Scramble Charity Golf Tournament raised a record amount of money this year! Michelle Pope worked tirelessly for Plantation Key School & Treasure Village Montessori School to raise over $80,000 during Conch Scramble 2021! Michelle works years after year to make this event a success raising money for local schools.
